Journey to One Piece

100. Nanohana

They had to travel for more than a couple of days before they could see the first land again. By this time Vivi and Igaram were sure that this was Alabasta because the weather had been hot and Robin had already checked again with the permanent pointer.

While crossing they had also passed over the underwater volcanoes and this was a whole new experience for everyone. Even for Ken. In his previous life he had only heard of those and watched them a couple of times in videos. But here the water wasn't deep so everyone had to smell in sulfur for quite a few  seconds before coming out.

In the original story, it was here that they would have come across Bon-clay and would make a bond that would transcend enmity. But of course, there was no such case here. Bon-clay had been taken care of from the beginning itself and they would just have to reach Alabasta.

After an hour more on the sea, they anchored near the port of Nanohana. In order to make sure that the Baroque Works didn't come after their ship, they had to anchor the ship quite far away from the port.

"Oye Luffy.. What should we do with her?" Zoro asked while pointing at Robin. The inclusion of Vivi and Igaram was fine because Luffy was already on a roll to beat the shit out of Crocodile. So their aims coincided with Vivi and Igaram. But Robin was different. She was from the enemy's side. Though she had been helpful until this time, it couldn't be denied that she belonged to the enemy camp. And now that they were in enemy territory they would have to keep an eye on everything.

She was someone whose Devil Fruit was unique and could easily be used to pass on information. Luffy looked at Robin for a minute and said.

"I don't care. She can leave or stay." Luffy didn't really care. Somehow he could tell that Robin didn't actually have any ill intentions for them.

Robin's jaw dropped. When she got on the ship she had already thought of running away after coming to Alabasta. Sure, a part of her liked being with the crew, she could tell that this crew was unique and had quite a bit of power.

But she couldn't give anyone her full trust. Years of struggle and betrayal had made her realize that. Maybe only her dead mother, Clover and her colleagues from Ohara and Jaguar D. Saul deserved her full trust. She wasn't sure if anyone could ever win her trust again.

Then when she heard the words of Luffy, it really came as a surprise. Even after being the enemy of theirs, she had been treated fair and now she was let go for free without asking anything in return.

Igaram felt uncomfortable when Luffy said that but didn't call him out. Vivi could vaguely understand why Luffy didn't care. It was because they had already taken her down so easily and he had utmost trust that he would be able to take down Crocodile. So if the main head would be taken down, why would he care for someone in lower ranks.

Robin thought for a second and just shook her head.

"I will join you. Crocodile is at the Rainbase right now. We would have to travel quite a lot. But after getting to the Rainbase I will leave. I wouldn't join you in the fight and nor will I come after you."

Ken just smiled listening to Robin. The first step to joining the crew had been taken. She would soon officially join the crew. None of the crew members said anything more as their Captain had already decided. There was no point in arguing.

Everyone got out of the ship and looked straight for the town. Of course, Luffy wanted to run but Ken came and stopped him.

"Baka, if you run away I will never be able to find you. We have someone to meet here."

"Someone? Who?"

Ken hadn't given the information that Ace was supposed to wait for them here so it was still a mystery for him. But since they would have to go for rations and proper clothes, the group got separated. Zoro, Chopper and Robin were one group with special instructions to not let Zoro out of sight or he might just get lost and end up in Dragon Ball.

Sanji and the two women would form another group responsible for clothes and food. Zoro's group was responsible for the miscellaneous things required for the crew like medicine, some nails and other required items to repair the ship. Going Merry had been suffering for a bit and so they would need to repair.

Usopp, Ken and Luffy would form the other group. Igaram had decided to go to Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta,  to meet the King himself and give him an update. Vivi felt a little sad knowing that Igaram was going to leave but she didn't stop him. It was better that way instead of sending Caroo on a long and lonely journey alone.

Luffy and Usopp were hungry and both of them were already following their sense of smell to reach a restaurant . Ken just followed them for a bit. His Observation Haki had already made him know that there were not one but two acquaintances in the restaurant that they were approaching. One was Ace himself. Ace had Haki so he was able to easily deflect Ken's Observation Haki. But he was sure that it was Ace because along with Ace there was another person who was known to Ken and Luffy too.

Smoker.

Destiny had brought him here again. The trio soon reached the restaurant and when they entered inside they noticed a complete silence among the customers. It was because the customers were a little scared of what was going to happen. Two people were in a confrontation right now. One was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and the other was a Marine Captain.